THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE

The eNewsletter of the Krishnamurti Foundation of America

January 2010

Ojai Valley by Friedrich Grohe
A view of the Ojai Valley

Photograph by Friedrich Grohe

LINKS

Calendar of Events

The Annual Gathering

Boarding at Oak Grove School

Joseph Chilton Pearce

Online Bookstore

Krishnamurti Online


Please help

DONATE to keep our programs and school strong



Krishnamurti Foundation

of America

P.O. Box 1560

Ojai, CA 93024, USA

(805) 646-2726

www.kfa.org

www.oakgroveschool.com

PROGRAM

HIGHLIGHTS


FEBRUARY

Film showings at the

Krishnamurti Library

1st & 3rd Fridays

from 7 to 9pm


MARCH

Film showings at the

Krishnamurti Library

1st & 3rd Fridays

from 7 to 9pm


APRIL

8th & 9th

10th & 11th

Programs with

Joseph Chilton Pearce


MAY

The Annual Gathering

May 1 & 2


JULY

17th - 25th

Summer Intensive in Ojai


AUGUST

1st - 7th

Summer Intensive in Swanwick, Canada

 

The Oak Grove Teaching Academy

Two Sessions: 1st - 7th;

8th - 14th

 

GO TO CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

Joseph Chilton Pearce

You can't have real learning with a child unless they are playing. Real playing is how real learning takes place. You can have conditioning and a Pavlovian conditioning of his dogs, or behavior modifications through other means which we look on as very serious, and we generally call learning, but it's not learning. It's conditioning. Real learning takes place by what Maria Montessori would call the absorbent mind of the child. Simply absorbing their universe, absorbing it, becoming it, and they do this through play. So you have those two things. What we think of as learning is conditioning, training is conditioning, but real learning is that stage of play. We have to interrupt the child's real state of learning or play in order to bring about what we think should be their training and their conditioning.

Krishnamurti

What is our major interest in life?

Please bear this in mind, although you are here for a holiday amongst the mountains, the hills and the streams, and the tourist entertainments, in spite of all that, we have an opportunity of sitting together for a whole hour. You know, that is quite interesting, to sit together for an hour and talk over our problems without any pretence, without any hypocrisy, and without assuming some ridiculous facade. To have a whole hour together is really extraordinary, because so rarely do we sit and discuss serious matters with anybody for a whole hour. You may go to the office for a whole day, but it has far greater meaning to spend sixty minutes or more together in order to investigate, to seriously examine our human problems hesitantly, tentatively and with great affection, without trying to impose one opinion upon another; because we are not dealing with opinions, ideas, or theories.

We are concerned with establishing a relationship between one another, and that can only be done if we know our mutual interests, and how deep those interests lie, and what energy we have to resolve the major problems of our life. Our life is not different from the rest of the world: we are the world. I don’t think any of us realize, deeply and continuously, that we are the world and the world is us. This must be deeply rooted within us. We have made this social structure, this violence, according to our desires, according to our ambition, greed and envy, and if we would change society we must first change ourselves; that seems such a simple, radical approach to the whole problem. But we think that by changing the outer structure of society, by throwing bombs, making political divisions and the like, we shall by some miracle all become perfect human beings; I am afraid that never works. And to realize that we are the world, not as a verbal statement or a theory, but to actually feel it in our hearts, is very difficult, because our education, our culture, has laid emphasis on our being separate from the world; that as individuals we have a responsibility to ourselves and not to the rest of the world, that as individuals we are free to do as we like, within reason. But we are not individuals at all; we are the result of the culture in which we live. An individual means an entity who is not fragmented, who is whole; we are not that. We are broken up, fragmented, in a state of contradiction within ourselves, therefore we are not individuals. So, seeing all this, what is our major interest in life?

— J. Krishnamurti

The Awakening of Intelligence, part VII chapter 1, 1st public talk, Saanen 18th July 1971

 

 

 PEPPER TREE RETREAT

 

 

 

 

 
 

Krishnamurti Foundation of America

Oak Grove School

K and child at meal

IN THIS ISSUE


OAK GROVE SCHOOL

SPRING PROGRAMS: JOSEPH CHILTON PEARCE

THE ANNUAL GATHERING

PEPPER TREE RETREAT

PUBLICATIONS NEWS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS


Krishnamurti pointed the way to living a life that is truly free – from the distorting effects of conditioning, from a mind trapped in surface thinking, and from mistaken notions of what we call truth.


Stay in touch with the latest developments at the Krishnamurti Foundation and Oak Grove School.


We begin 2010 with a look forward to a vibrant year for the school, anchored by the commitment of parents and staff to the awakening of intelligence within each child; and to programs hosted by the Krishnamurti Foundation that bring inquiring people together to look into life’s perplexing and intriguing questions.


OAK GROVE SCHOOL

The school is now taking applications for school year 2010-2011. For those unfamiliar with the school, it was founded by Krishnamurti in 1975 and is a progressive co-educational day and boarding school serving preschool through college preparatory high school students in beautiful Ojai, California. 

 

The school offers boarding for domestic and international students in 7th to 12th grade and a highly selective ESL program to international students with intermediate English proficiency. 

 

The Secondry School Program offers a challenging, integrated, and inquiry-based college preparatory experience.

 

For parents looking for a family-style boarding program AND the inquiry-based education that Krishnamurti pioneered, Oak Grove School has many wonderful advantages.  The campus is set in a 150-acres of rolling woodlands, nested in the coastal mountains of the Ojai Valley, just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, but a world away from the pressures and confusion of the big city.

 

For a detailed review of the Secondary Education Program, click HERE.


You can also explore the school through its website, at www.oakgroveschool.com. Or call admissions director Joy Maguire-Parsons at 646-8236, ext.109, email enroll@oakgroveschool.com.  


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TWO PROGRAMS ON THE WORK OF JOSEPH CHILTON PEARCE

APRIL 8 & 9, 2010

 The Complete Works of Joseph Chilton Pearce

A Two-Day Symposium, with Joseph Chilton Pearce, and Michael Mendizza, colleague and close friend of Dr. Pearce, and co-author with Pearce of Magical Parent - Magical Child.

Pepper Tree Retreat & Education Center, Ojai, California


It is rare for a small group of serious

people to gather in a beautiful space and explore the ideas and observations Joseph Chilton Pearce has shared in his many publications. Selected quotes, beginning with Crack In The Cosmic Egg through his latest unpublished manuscript, will serve as our guide.


This is a priceless opportunity for those familiar with Joe's Collected Works. Lee Nichol will be joining us for the symposium. Lee, a friend and colleague to both David Bohm and Joe, is serving as editor of Joe's new manuscript.


Symposium Space is limited to 30.

Registration is $225, including lunches. Accommodation is extra.


For more information, click HERE.

To register, click HERE.

 


APRIL 10 & 11, 2010

The Awakening of Intelligence through Education: Real Learning or More Conditioning?

A Two-Day Conference

With Joseph Chilton Pearce, Michael Mendizza,

Oak Grove School, Ojai, California


In advance of the conference registered participants will receive a transcript of Learning and Education, part of Reaching Beyond Magical Child, a collection of six one-hour DVDs spanning Pearce's' vision of human development.


Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Joseph Chilton Pearce in person and explore topics that are at the crux of our cultural and educational dilemmas.

Registration Including Catered Lunch $40/day


The conference includes a video interview with John Taylor Gatto describing how the very form and structure of public education is Dumbing Us Down.

"By 1940, literacy as a national number stood at 96 percent for whites and 80 percent for blacks. Four of five blacks were literate in spite of all disadvantages. Yet, six decades later, the Adult Literacy Survey and National Assessment of Educational Progress reported a 40 percent illiteracy rate for blacks – doubling the earlier deficiency – and a 17 percent rate for whites, more than quadrupling it. Yet, the money spent on schooling in real terms had grown 350 percent."


The conference includes small group explorations, panels, presentations.

Topics include:

  • Who is being served? Self actualization or culture?
  • Growing Real Individuals versus Standardized Models: what does this mean in terms of relationship, structure and curriculum?
  • Joseph Chilton Pearce on Amazing Capacities and Self-Inflicted Limitations.
  • Education as Transcendence.
  • Pearce on The Death of Religion and Rebirth of Spirit: a return to the intelligence of the heart.
  • Conflict As Opportunity.

 

For more information, including a daily conference schedule, click HERE.

To read more about renowned author Joseph Chilton Pearce, click HERE.

To register, click HERE.


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THE ANNUAL GATHERING WILL BE ON MAY 1st and 2nd 

 

In Ojai in 1986, Krishnamurti died right before a scheduled Gathering of friends and supporters from around the world. The Gathering was held as a way of being together at that time, and it has continued annually ever since.

The Annual Gathering is primarily a way for people to come together, nurturing friendships within the context of exploring the work of Krishnamurti as meaningful in their lives. Friendships formed here have lasted years, and a palpable sense of community brings all the events to life. Whether you are new to exploring Krishnamurti’s work, or a long-time friend of the Foundation, the Gathering can be an important time out from the psychological speed of our task-oriented lives.


This year we have a two-day weekend program with several events, some of which will be in Krishnamurti’s former home, Pine Cottage, in Ojai’s East End; and some of which will be at the Oak Grove School, which Krishnamurti founded.  Here’s a preview of the schedule, and we would be delighted to see you in May, when Ojai is at its loveliest.


Saturday, May 1

Morning: Dr. P. Krishna will give a talk at Pine Cottage, focusing on the teachings and every day life.

 

Krishnamurti addressed many different kinds of people and all age groups, from children to teenagers to families, adults and the elderly, teachers, and so on. What transformations are possible when we open our minds in each moment of our daily lives?

Lunch at Pine Cottage is optional at $15, and reservations must be made through our website, beginning in March.


Afternoon: Screenings of talks by Krishnamurti, at Oak Grove School.

Evening: A piano recital at Oak Grove School.

 

Bach’s Golderg Variations, played by pianist, and former Oak Grove parent, Robert Krupnick. Contemplative, transcendental, and timeless.


Sunday, May 2

Morning: Panel discussion at Oak Grove School, with Dr. Krishna, Mark Lee, Richard Waxberg, and James Paul; moderated by Marge Balazs.

 

Afternoon: Program to be announced.


Save the dates, and look for an email invitation closer to the event.


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PEPPER TREE RETREAT

 

Make a reservation at Pepper Tree Retreat for the dates of any of our programs. We have eight suites, all with private bathrooms, but they go fast. To check availability for May 1st and 2nd, or any time you wish, call 877-355-5986, or visit the website at www.PepperTreeRetreat.com


About Pepper Tree Retreat

If you haven’t visited Pepper Tree Retreat yet, consider giving yourself a well-deserved and restorative break.  Here’s a preview of what to expect.


Pepper Tree Retreat, a bed and breakfast with vegan and vegetarian cuisine, is the former home of philosopher J. Krishnamurti, perhaps Ojai’s most famous resident.

 

Krishnamurti lived here from 1922 to 1986, welcoming visitors from around the world who were challenged by his penetrating inquiries into the fundamental questions of life. These included such 20th Century luminaries as Annie Besant, Aldous Huxley, John Barrymore, Greta Garbo, David Bohm, Dr. Jonas Salk, D.H. Lawrence, Jackson Pollack, Igor Stravinsky, The Beatles, and many others. The retreat guest rooms are named after these visitors, some of whom stayed in the rooms that are named for them. (See detailed history)


The tranquil beauty and subtle sounds of the Ojai Valley can best be appreciated with a quiet mind.

 

That is why Pepper Tree Retreat has no television, no amplified music, no bright lights. It is a true spiritual retreat. Guests are encouraged to relax in the garden, take walks, and use their time on the premises for reflection and exploration of relationships. Of course, guests can balance their time at the retreat by partaking of all the Ojai Valley has to offer. The retreat staff can advise guests on a variety of cultural, recreational, and healthful activities in the Ojai Valley.


Ojai Valley's Pepper Tree Retreat Offers:

  • Eight guest rooms in a vintage 1910 farmhouse and more recent cottages.
  • All rooms have a private bath, writing desk, wi-fi connectivity, and air conditioning.
  • A large front porch, trellised outdoor dining area, gardens, and lovely views.
  • Use of a large, shared kitchen. Three rooms have their own kitchen.
  • Public rooms and outdoor meeting areas for individual and small group use.
  • A vegetarian breakfast buffet is offered each morning; tea or coffee always available.
  • Beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
  • Access to the nearby Krishnamurti library, where guests can draw inspiration from Krishnamurti’s insights into life.

Visit the website and explore lovely photographs of the interior and exterior, at www.PepperTreeRetreat.com.


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PUBLICATIONS NEWS


If you visit www.jkrishnamurti.com, you will have access to Cover: Transformation of Manan incredible collection of Krishnamurti’s work, with many options to download text, video and audio, all FREE and available to anyone in the world with internet access. Thanks to our generous and loyal donors, Krishnamurti Publications is adding to the collection on a regular basis. 

 

There are also frequent improvements to existing publications, especially DVD’s which are getting more and more subtitle options. For example, The Transformation of Man series is available online with subtitles now in Italian, French, Portuguese and Spanish.


To visit the Krishnamurti Publications Online Store, click HERE.

For Krishnamurti Online, click HERE.


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CALENDAR OF EVENTS


FEBRUARY 5 & 19, 2010

Video screenings in the Krishnamurti Library

1098 McAndrew Road, Ojai, CA 93023 (directions and map)
Phone: (805) 646-2390

The Future of Humanity: discussion between Krishnamurti and Dr. David Bohm. From 7 to 9pm. There is a suggested donation of $7 per person to help defray costs.


MARCH 5 & 19, 2010

Video screenings in the Krishnamurti Library

1098 McAndrew Road, Ojai, CA 93023 (directions and map)
Phone: (805) 646-2390

Titles: TBA

From 7 to 9pm. There is a suggested donation of $7 per person to help defray costs.


APRIL 8 & 9, 2010

The Complete Works of Joseph Chilton Pearce

A Two-Day Symposium, with Michael Mendizza, colleague and close friend of Dr. Pearce, and co-author with Pearce of Magical Parent - Magical Child.

Pepper Tree Retreat & Education Center, Ojai, California

For more information, click HERE.


APRIL 10 & 11, 2010

A Two-Day Conference

With Joseph Chilton Pearce, Michael Mendizza.

The Awakening of intelligence through Education: Real Learning or More Conditioning?

Oak Grove School, Ojai, California

For more information, click HERE.


MAY 1 – 2, 2010

The Annual Gathering

Save The Dates. More information will be posted on our website soon, and emailed to our list.


SUMMER INTENSIVES


JULY 17 – 25, 2010

The 2010 Ojai, Krishnamurti Summer Study-Intensive & Retreat Program

Energy, Creativity and the Nature of the New Mind: An Exploration into the Understanding of Intelligence as Creative Energy to Awaken a New Mind

For more information, contact Richard Waxberg.


AUGUST 1 – 7, 2010

The 2010 Swanwick, Krishnamurti Summer Study-Intensive & Retreat Program

Canada: Krishnamurti Educational Center, Swanwick, Vancouver Island

The 2010 Swanwick, Krishnamurti Summer Study-Intensive & Retreat Program

The Birth of Intelligence and the Challenge of the Unknown: An Exploration into “Seeing and Listening” as the Action of Intelligence that can Penetrate the Hidden Operations of the Mind, and Unlock the Mystery of the Unknown

For more information, contact Richard Waxberg.


Both Programs are fully-immersive, sustained explorations into the depth and potential of Krishnamurti's teachings to open us to entirely new insights into the nature of thought and the mind, and the importance of finding-out for ourselves what is preventing us from entering the sacred ground of the unknown.


For further information, contact program director Richard Waxberg at 805-640-0532. Email: richardwaxberg@att.net


OAK GROVE TEACHING ACADEMY

Session 1: Sunday August 1st to Saturday August 7th.

Theme: Re-envisioning Education.

 

Session 2: Sunday August 8th to Saturday August 14th.

Theme: The Art, Science and Craft of Teaching and Learning.


This is the 5th annual Teaching Academy. It is an in-depth residential program suitable for established teachers as well as teachers in training. Course credit is offered through UCSB Extension at 4 units per program.

For further information click HERE, or contact program director Gopal Krishnamurthy at 805-462-7360. Email: gopal@kfa.org.


Check our website regularly for program additions and updates:

www.kfa.org


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